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Blair supports two super-casinos Blair supports two super-casinos
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair has told MPs there is no reason why both Manchester and Blackpool should not get casinos, if there is sufficient investment. Tony Blair has told MPs both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos, if there was sufficient investment.
In January Manchester was named the preferred site for a "super-casino" at the expense of Blackpool - whose supporters say it would benefit more. In January Manchester was named the preferred site for such an attraction at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more.
Peers rejected plans for 17 casinos, including one "super-casino" in March. Peers rejected plans for 17 casinos, including one super-casino, in March.
But Mr Blair said the government hoped to bring forward proposals "very shortly" to introduce regional casinos. But at prime minister's questions, Mr Blair said the government hoped to bring forward proposals "very shortly" to introduce regional casinos.
Manchester was recommended by the Casino Advisory Panel in January - much to the shock of frontrunners Blackpool and the Dome in London. When Manchester was recommended by the Casino Advisory Panel, it was much to the shock of two frontrunners - Blackpool and the site of the former Millennium Dome in London.
Trial plan
Both houses of Parliament have already passed the Gambling Act - paving the way for the new casinos - into law with the plan for one trial super-casino.Both houses of Parliament have already passed the Gambling Act - paving the way for the new casinos - into law with the plan for one trial super-casino.
But peers rejected the Gambling Order backing the decision to build the super-casino in Manchester, by just three votes.But peers rejected the Gambling Order backing the decision to build the super-casino in Manchester, by just three votes.
Manchester's backers remain confident they will get the UK's first super-casino, but main rival Blackpool believes it has been given an opportunity to get the decision on the siting of the super-casino changed. If the investment is there and able to be done, let's do both of them Tony Blair
On Wednesday, Labour MP Graham Stringer, who represents Manchester Blackley, urged the government to ensure the casinos were built.
Mr Blair said: "Personally I have never seen the reason why we should have Blackpool and Manchester pitted against each other," he said at question time.
"If the investment is there and able to be done, let's do both of them."
He said only Conservative intervention had jeopardised the Manchester casino, whereas Labour's original plan would have allowed super-casinos at both Manchester and Blackpool.
Initially the government had said there would be up to 40 regional casinos, but that was scaled down - first to eight, then to one - in the face of strong opposition and concerns about gambling addiction.
Manchester's backers remain confident they will get the UK's first super-casino, but main rival Blackpool believes it has been given an opportunity to alter the decision on the attraction's location.
Some critics had argued that Blackpool was a more suitable venue, with greater need for a super-casino, while others said it could increase problem gambling in a deprived part of Manchester.Some critics had argued that Blackpool was a more suitable venue, with greater need for a super-casino, while others said it could increase problem gambling in a deprived part of Manchester.
Blackpool North and Fleetwood Labour MP Joan Humble said her town had been unfairly "marked down" by the Casino Advisory Panel.
But supporters of the Manchester bid said the chosen area in the east of the city was in need of the investment and renewal the project would bring.But supporters of the Manchester bid said the chosen area in the east of the city was in need of the investment and renewal the project would bring.